According to the Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, the 30-ton Pegasus derrick above the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Dallas is in danger of falling.
On Wednesday, April 13, some council members blasted the hotel for profiting from the art without maintaining it. Out of concern for the taxpayer, a lengthy argument ensued. Inquiring minds wanted to know how the city ended up with an 88-year responsibility that should have been renegotiated with the Magnolia Hotel.
For those old enough to remember, this is not the original 1934 Pegasus, which currently sits comfortably on the ground in front of the Omni Hotel. The new Pegasus was erected in 1999 to commemorate the Magnolia Hotel’s opening on New Year’s Eve.
According to Inspire Art Dallas, the 1999 Pegasus replica used galvanized steel instead of prime steel and came with extra sets of neon lighting for future repairs. The derrick that supports the two 15-ton panels was installed in 1934 when the original Pegasus was erected. According to OAC Assistant Director Benjamin Espino, the Dallas Pegasus sign’s framing structure is a “galvanized steel tube bracing members and steel struts within a carbon steel angle iron structure.” The derrick’s frame, made of rolled carbon steel and angle iron, needs repairs badly.
Last year, a Dallas investment firm bought the Magnolia Hotel, previously owned by Denver’s Stout Street Hospitality. Assistant City Attorney Connie Tankersley said that city personnel had approached the hotel about sharing maintenance costs, but the talks were not fruitful. As reported by D Magazine, Public Art Program Manager Kay Kallos said after the meeting, “I was present for the discussion, and I wouldn’t characterize it as unfruitful … the City will continue discussions and NewCrestImage is open to future discussions.”
However, the historical lack of cooperation from the hotel’s previous owners annoyed council members, specifically council members Cara Mendelsohn and Adam Bazaldua, who proposed amendments to the original motion.
Mendelsohn’s amendment called for the City to pay for the stabilization and security of the art piece but not for its improvement or repairs. Bazaldua’s moved to delay the entire decision until the Quality of Life committee could work on ways the Magnolia Hotel could help with repair costs. Councilwoman Gay Donnell Willis agreed with Bazaldua, questioning the repair’s urgency since the base’s corrosion was initially found in October 2020. Contractors did not begin work on the structure until November 2021. However, the rooftop crane used to access the Pegasus also needs repair.
The repairs will cost roughly $287,000 for the Pegasus and $52,000 for the crane. Since the previous neon lighting initially created for repairs has already been used, the council was advised to save money by approving $19,662 to relight the sign while other restorations are made.
D Magazine reports that city staff advised if the corrosion continues, the Pegasus will inevitably threaten the steel tower structure, and catastrophic results might follow if one of those pillars fails.
Councilman Jesse Moreno stated that they need to fix it as we enter the two windiest months of the year. Mendelsohn voted against the expense, but the council ultimately authorized it.